Bulletins

STEM North of Scotland,  Ambassador Programme Bulletin, Issue 3: Spring 2010

 What a Difference a Year Makes!

The Ambassador programme has been running at full speed for the last 12 months so let's have a quick look at what's been happening:

• Ambassador numbers across the region have escalated to over 300 - more than double the figure at this time last year - so thank you to all those who have registered to make a difference
• Nearly 100 businesses are being represented by these ambassadors - providing a great resource to teachers in terms of industry input and also making young people realise the opportunities that are available to them in this region
• Each of the 6 local authority areas in the North of Scotland now has access to ambassadors who are taking part in activities in schools in Argyll and Bute, Highland, Moray, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles - helping to engage young people in STEM
• The first Scottish STEM Ambassador Awards took place in March where 5 Ambassadors/ Businesses from the Highlands and Islands were nominated. Congratulations to LifeScan Scotland Ltd who won the Most Dedicated Company Award - well deserved!! A link to the full article can be found on the homepage of our website www.stemnorthofscotland.com
• There has been lots of activity going on in the community and in schools - too much to mention here, so please visit out website www.stemnorthofscotland.com for full details.

This twice yearly bulletin is designed for teachers, lecturers and ambassadors to keep you up to date with the ambassador scheme in the North of Scotland so we hope you enjoy our third edition.

Opportunities for Teachers and Ambassadors to get involved:

Im a Scientist. Get Me Out of Here! - An online event for both schools and ambassadors to get involved, taking place from the 14 to the 25 of June. Teachers register and your students could start engaging with scientists online, read up on their work, ask them questions and take part in live chats! Teacher registration closes 3 of May so don't delay!! http://imascientist.org.uk/for-teachers Science Ambassadors if you would like to take part in this event register your interest http://imascientist.org.uk/for-scientists

The Big Bang Scotland - Taking place in Dundee on the 7 of June, schools across Scotland can register to attend and showcase their great ideas as well as find out about the fantastic career opportunites available in science, engineering and technology. There is also the chance of winning some fabulous prizes so register your school today at http://thebigbangfair.co.uk/scotland  Ambassadors - the organisers are looking for volunteers to help out on the day, if you would like to take part please let us know.

Lab in a Lorry 2010 - Lab in a Lorry has extended its Highlands and Islands tour and the application to seek funding for next years tour is already underway. Teachers - the Lab likes to visit schools it has never been to before so please register your interest on their site. Ambassadors - we would like you to get involved and once dates have been confirmed for the extended tour we will be back in touch. For more information on what the lab is and to register your school's interest please visit http://www.labinalorry.org.uk/

Young Engineer for Britain - Competition is now open for groups of secondary pupils to design and develop an engineering related project. For full details on what the competition involves and how to enter please visit www.youngeng.org/home Also please let us know when you register as ambassadors could help teams with their projects.

Young Engineers and Science Clubs - Teachers -  Are you looking for a new way to get your students enthusiastic about science? Then set up a Club and receive a £100 grant as well as resources and ideas. Please contact Club Co-ordinator Carrie Joss Carrie.Joss@scdi.org.uk or  visit http://www.scdi.org.uk Ambassadors - clubs will need your help so we will be in touch as requests come in.

Quick Reminders:

Still Growing - With your help we are looking to increase the number of volunteers across the region to 500 by March 2011. Ambassadors recommend a STEM friend or colleague to join the programme and teachers, do you know of any parents with expertise in STEM who would make a good ambassador?  We need good role models to inspire our scientists and engineers of the future, so please get in touch. Our contact details are below.

Its Good to Talk - The STEM North of Scotland Facebook page is live so please become a fan and talk to each other. This is a great way for ambassadors across the region to network and bounce ideas off each other. Please post ideas for discussion, ask for help and advice from others or share your resources. Become a fan today at: www.facebook.com/pages/STEM-North-of-Scotland/132572452775

Get Surfing - our website www.stemnorthofscotland.com is packed with great resources for teachers and lecturers. Also find out what the STEM Team, our ambassadors and pupils in our schools have been up to. Make sure you visit our events calendar and ambassador search facility to find out what is going on when and to look for experts from industry.

Let Us Know! - Ambassadors it is really important that you keep your activity log up to date - The Scottish STEM Ambassaddors Awards will take place again in March 2011 but we cannot nominate you unless we know what you have been doing. If you need any help with this please contact us. Teachers we also want to know what STEM related activities you have going on in your class or school - we could provide you with additional resources or get ambassadors involved.

Ambassador Case Study

This editions case study comes from some of the newly recruited ambassadors in Orkney who have been involved in a number of activities. If you are an ambassador who has recently taken part in a STEM activity of any kind please email ambassadors@hient.co.uk and you could feature in the next bulletin and on our website.

Advice for Students at Kirkwall Grammar from Ambassadors - Ambassadors visited Kirkwall Grammar on 18 February, to provide insights into the world of work to pupils making their third year subject choices.

Ambassadors John Mowat, Alec Livingstone, Mike Robertson and Syed Shah, attended the parents evening, all with different backgrounds to offer advice to students about their career path and experiences in the local workplace.

Commenting on the strong science and engineering industry in Orkney, John Mowat said: 'Events such as these and the presence of STEM highlights to young people that there are opportunities available to them in Orkney where they can study, work and be successful without having to leave to the island'.

Mike Robertson, local business man and founder of 4QL Limited, a software and internet services business, said: 'I joined the STEM Ambassador programme to give young people first hand knowledge about industry and to demonstrate that a career in STEM can lead to endless opportunities. I have enjoyed talking to students and got them to think about how they make a career out of looking at how things work'.

K'NeX - STEM Ambassadors are also helping to deliver the K'NeX engineering workshops in primary schools throughout Orkney. K'Nex Co-ordinator and STEM Ambassador, Ruth Falconer notes that 'K'Nex is a great way of showing teachers and pupils that engineering and technology can be delivered in a fun and engaging way while still meeting the targets of Curriculm for Excellence'.

The Ambassadors have been a great addition to workshops with thanks to John Ruscoe, Corinne Fudge, William McEwan, Alec Livingstone, David Scott and Alistair Cameron for volunteering to help out.

Technology Workshops - David Griffith STEM Ambassador from Orkney Islands Council has also delivered a number of technology inspired workshops to Students at Kirkwall Grammar, Stronsay Junior High School and Papdale Primary School. Pupils use cutting edge technology in an internet radio workshop that looks at broadcasting software and interesting programme design.

For further information on the K’Nex and Technology Workshops please contact us.